New Delhi (NVI): The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has unanimously decided to establish September 9 as the ‘International Day to Protect Education from Attack’ calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
The Day draws attention to the plight of more than 75 million 3-to-18-year-olds living in 35 crisis-affected countries and to their urgent need for educational support.
It also expresses concern over the effects of continued violence on these children and their ability to access education, whose consequences require special attention beyond the needs of learners whose establishments were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN chief Antonio Guterres said, “As the world fights to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, children and youth in conflict zones remain among the most vulnerable to its devastating impact. We must ensure our children have a safe and secure environment in which to learn the knowledge and skills they need for the future.”
“As the world begins planning to re-open schools once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we must ensure that schools remain safe places of learning — even in countries in conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
She further added, “Attacks on schools are a violation of humanity and basic decency. We must not allow these senseless attacks to destroy the hopes and dreams of a generation of children. We acknowledge the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and the State of Qatar for presenting the resolution to help ensure that schools and the children and teachers within them are protected.”
The General Assembly reaffirms the right to education for all and the importance of ensuring safe, enabling learning environments in humanitarian emergencies.
UNESCO and UNICEF will facilitate the annual observance of the Day in close collaboration with partners within and outside the UN system.
In the proclamation of this Day, the UN is sending a clear message regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.
HH Sheikha Moza, who advocated for the importance of this day during the 2019 General Assembly High-level week and Social Forum for the Human Rights Council, said, “Amid this global pandemic, it is vital to ensure that the diseases of armed conflict and illiteracy that were prevalent before do not spread further.”
“That is why I am pleased that the General Assembly has recognized the significance of this urgent issue and established an International Day to Protect Education from Attack,” she added.
